The Ilocos Times

Are we missing something obvious here? For years now, the Philippines has been one of the world’s leading producers of seaweeds . But what have we done with this advantage? We’ve confined ourselves largely to food ingredients— carrageenan for ice cream and jellies , thickeners for toothpaste and cosmetics, and additives for processed goods. Nothing wrong with that. But have we considered that seaweeds could also fuel our future? India has. In fact, Indian innovators have already taken the lead in producing biofuels from seaweeds. A company called Sea6 Energy , founded in 2010 by young engineers from IIT Madras , is pioneering technologies to grow seaweeds in deep waters and convert them into “ biocrude ” using a process called hydrothermal liquefaction . This is essentially a fast-track version of what nature does to turn organic matter into fossil fuels, but instead of millions of years, it happens in minutes. Here’s the point: if India—with only 11,099 kilometers of coastlin...

Laoag City — Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos pledged her administration’s commitment to strengthening Ilocos Norte’s tourism and investment sectors as she delivered her first 100 days report, outlining the province’s continuing progress toward Ilocos Norte as a " greener pasture ." “Tourism is truly Ilocos Norte’s greatest beauty, and we are committed to taking it to new heights,” Araneta-Marcos said. In her report, the governor highlighted several milestones in the tourism sector, including Ilocos Norte’s PHP 6.5 million in sales and second runner-up Best Booth recognition at the 36 th Philippine Travel Mart . She also emphasized the uncovering of “hidden gems” in the province, such as the cascades of falls in Pasuquin and the mountain ranges in Solsona, as potential destinations. Visitor services at the Laoag International Airport have been improved to offer guests a “warm and seamless welcome,” she said. The provincial government of Ilocos Norte...

Houston , we have a problem. No—on second thought—it’s not just a problem. It’s a dilemma. Actually, let’s not kid ourselves. It’s both. So, what is it? We’re producing so much used cooking oil that if we’re not careful, it could be clogging our drainage systems—assuming, of course, that we have proper drainage systems in the first place. If we don’t, then it’s clogging whatever passes for a drainage system in many of our cities. The logical thing to do would be to collect this oil and recycle it. But here’s where the “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” part kicks in. If you do collect it, you could be accused of transporting hazardous waste and fined. If you don’t, you risk pouring it into our waterways, blocking pipes, causing floods, and polluting aquifers. Why? Because under Republic Act 6969—the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act—used cooking oil can be classified as hazardous waste. That means it’s subject to strict rules on collection, st...

  INEC GM Felino Agdigos speaks before the Laoag City council. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Dingras , Ilocos Note—The Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) is set resume disconnection operations in August 2020 for unpaid power bills for the months of March and April. It was during March and April where the national government declared an enhanced community quarantine in the country, including Ilocos Norte. INEC general manager Engr. Felino Herbert P. Agdigos stressed that the four-month grace period for the ECQ ends in August. “ Ket no saan da mabayadan ket isun to tay pinangiyuswat mi tay disconnection kasi napaot metten didiay a pawayway kadakwada ,” Agdigos explained. He disclosed that INEC will start with the disconnection on August 18, 2020 for unsettled bills during the ECQ. The disconnection operation will apply for both residential and commercial consumers.   Liwanag Pantawid program Meanwhile , Agdigos also announced...

By Bernardo B. Ver II Contributor LAOAG City —ZAK Green Energy Philippines plans to put-up a mini hydropower plant in Vintar, Ilocos Norte. The said project is set to generate electricity using water source from the river particularly at Brgy. Canaam in the said town using the modernized ‘diversion type hydro plant’.   From the water source, they will use large steel pipes down to the ‘Power House’ where the water turbines are located. The hydro plant can produce 12 megawatts (MW) of power that can cater to about 10,000 households near it. Atty. Jingboy Atonen, ZAK’s legal counsel said the project cost is more than PHP1.5 billion. The project’s completion will take up to five years, or in 2024 if it starts this year. The project’s design officer Engr. Warlito Ramos, meanwhile, assures that there will be no dredging activity in the area. Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Atty. Saul Lazo, however said he is worried about the hazardous effects of the s...